Few years ago I was in India and traveling to Bangalore from Delhi. Due to the long journey, to kill the fatigue I decided to roam in different railway compartments. Perchance I happened to encounter a Sardar G, whose expressions seemed to suggest that he was bored too. Knowing about my Pakistani identity, he was jubilant to find a person whom he could share thoughts and common issues of both countries. On my inquiry the reason of his special love for Pakistan, Sardar G heaved a sigh and started to praise PTV dramas. He further disclosed that actually he was a resident of Chandigarh. When Waris, Andhera Ujala, Dhoop Kinaray popular series were on air he had his friends would go to Amritsar (more than four hours drive from Chandigarh) to watch it. “You can’t imagine”, he said with twinkling eyes, “even the advertisements on PTV were fascinating for us”. On hearing such praiseworthy remarks I really felt proud of PTV’s excellent heritage.
Going back to history on November 26, 1964, PTV started its transmission from Lahore. “It was like a man’s giant step on moon,” said Muhammad Hayat Saif (PRO PTV Lahore). People used to be glued to their TV sets to watch any programme that was on air on PTV. Gradually drama production heightened and its popularity spread around the world. There was a competition atmosphere in all five major centres, Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta. If Lahore had Andhera Ujala, Karachi had ‘UnKahi’ and Quetta was on forefront telecasting ‘Dhooan’. Well the quality of Islamabad centre never lagged behind in this race with excellent productions such as ‘Guest House’ and Rauf Khalid’s popular series ‘Laag’ and ‘Angar Vaddi’.
It is an admitted fact that despite the wide range of production on a number of private TV channels, PTV has maintained its standard. PTV Home is purely entertainment and family-oriented channel where no vulgarity or substandard stuff is telecast.
This time its 43rd anniversary was celebrated with full zeal. On this occasion PTV recorded some testimonials of different personalities and presented its most popular stage show ‘Neelam Ghar’ that decades ago kicked off from Karachi centre. Its producer back then was Arif Rana and compere Tariq Aziz. ‘Neelam Ghar’ really proved to be milestone in PTV’s history and a record holder in Asia for its long duration of presentation. Its first producer, Arif Rana, participated in the 43rd anniversary ceremony and unfolded the facts and achievements of this show. Some notable artists and singers like Abid Kashmiri, Qavi Khan, Shujat Hashmi, Jamil Fakhri, Aurang Zeb Leghari, Irfan Khosat, Ali Ejaz, Ghayur Akhtar and Saiqa also made their appearance to commemorate the occasion.
As Pakistan Television has sublime presentation in dramas, talk show, stage shows etc. it has a major share in promoting music as well. It has introduced gigantic musicians and singers like Ikhlaq Ahmed, Masood Rana, Balqis Khanam and Malka-i-Pukhraj etc. Their melodious songs were shown during the anniversary celebrations. Amjad Islam Amjad, Shahzad Ahmed, Arif Lohar, Dr Rafiq Ahmed and Wazir Afzal recorded their messages.
At the Islamabad Convention Centre, the glittering PTV stars gathered amid President Pervez Musharraf. A number of awards were given to high calibre artists. Even the ailing Roohi Bano was present to recollect her memories attached to Pakistan Television. Zile Huma received the award on behalf of her late mother, Noor Jehan, and Asif Mehdi represented his father, Mehdi Hasan.
In his speech President Musharraf expressed his mirth to be among such popular TV artists. He recollected that he used to be a staunch fan of PTV dramas and its artists. He admitted that PTV had made a major contribution in the promotion of art and brought honour to the country both domestically and internationally.
On this occasion renowned artist Shafi Muhammad’s achievements were applauded and prayers were offered for his soul. Certainly every Pakistani feels proud of PTV’s services rendered in promoting art and culture as well as in entertaining its viewers.
